Radboud University - Mercator Technology & Science Park

The Mercator Technology & Science Park (Mercator 1) at Radboud University in Nijmegen is a European innovation nexus integrating the High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML), FELIX laser laboratories, neurotechnology startups, and advanced semiconductor chemistry.

1923Founded

24,000+Community

16%International

1,100+Academics

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Academic overview & excellence

Mercator Park connects Radboud's Faculty of Science with cutting-edge commercial incubators and spinouts. Scholars conduct frontier research in continuous high-field magnetic physics (up to 38 Tesla), molecular microbiology, and cognitive neuromorphic computing.

Research admissions & criteria

Bachelor's admissions requires a Dutch VWO diploma or international equivalent with strong mathematics and physics. Master of Science (English-taught) requires an accredited BSc with a minimum GPA of 7.0/10 (Dutch scale) and English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90). Fully funded salaried PhD researcher positions are appointed under Dutch CAU collective agreements.

Verified opportunities & funding programs (7)

PhD

HFML-FELIX High Magnetic Field & Free Electron Laser PhD Fellowship

Four-year doctoral appointment utilizing 38-Tesla continuous magnetic fields combined with infrared free-electron lasers to explore quantum Hall effects in 2D materials.

Funding: Fully salaried 4-year Dutch employment contract: €2,770/month (Year 1) rising to €3,539/month (Year 4) plus 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus Tuition: €0 tuition (salaried staff researcher) Deadline: February 15, 2027

Master's

Master of Science in Physics and Astronomy (Neurophysics Track)

Two-year international master's degree exploring mathematical biophysics, neural coding, brain-computer interfaces, and spiking neural networks.

Funding: Radboud Scholarship Programme covering full tuition fees and €10,800 living allowance Tuition: €2,530/year (EU/EEA), €17,000/year (non-EU/EEA) Deadline: April 1, 2027

Fellowship

Mercator Innovation Center Deep Tech Spinout Fellowship

One-year entrepreneurial fellowship supporting post-doctoral scientists launching commercial ventures in quantum algorithms, AI medical diagnostics, or clean tech.

Funding: €35,000 proof-of-concept seed grant funded through Mercator Launch incubator Tuition: €0 Deadline: March 31, 2027

Internship

NXP Semiconductors & Radboud Mercator RF Microelectronics Practicum

Six-month research internship testing automotive radar transceivers, GaN-on-Si radio frequency amplifiers, and secure embedded crypto-hardware.

Funding: €800 monthly internship allowance placed at NXP Nijmegen high-tech campus Tuition: €0 Deadline: May 1, 2027

Bachelor's

Bachelor of Science in Molecular Life Sciences (English-Taught)

Three-year research bachelor's degree at the intersection of chemistry, molecular biology, and medicine, analyzing biochemical disease pathways and rational drug design.

Funding: Dutch government student finance (DUO) loan and grant eligible for EU students Tuition: €2,530/year (EU/EEA), €15,500/year (non-EU) Deadline: May 1, 2027

Scholarship

Donders Institute Cognitive Neuroscience Postdoctoral Award

Postdoctoral research project exploring 7-Tesla functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of human memory consolidation and synaptic plasticity.

Funding: €45,000 annual research grant co-funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) Tuition: €0 Deadline: June 15, 2027

Course

Certificate in Cleanroom Protocols, Vacuum Systems & Cryogenic Physics

Four-week hands-on technical masterclass in ISO 5 cleanroom protocols, ultra-high vacuum (UHV) turbopump maintenance, and liquid helium-4 / helium-3 dilution refrigeration.

Funding: Dutch High Tech Systems and Materials (HTSM) subsidy eligible Tuition: €1,200 course fee Deadline: September 15, 2027

Distinguished faculty & researchers (3)

Prof. Dr. Peter H.J. van der Voort

Director of HFML-FELIX & Professor of High Magnetic Field Physics · High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML-FELIX)

Prof. Dr. Peter H.J. van der Voort is Director of HFML-FELIX & Professor of High Magnetic Field Physics in the High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML-FELIX) at Radboud University - Mercator Technology & Science Park, conducting advanced research in Semimetals in High Magnetic Fields, Quantum Oscillations, Correlated Electron Systems.

Semimetals in High Magnetic Fields Quantum Oscillations Correlated Electron Systems

Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Huck

Professor of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry & Spinoza Prize Laureate · Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM)

Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Huck is Professor of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry & Spinoza Prize Laureate in the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM) at Radboud University - Mercator Technology & Science Park, conducting advanced research in Synthetic Cell Systems, Out-of-Equilibrium Networks, Polymer Brushes.

Synthetic Cell Systems Out-of-Equilibrium Networks Polymer Brushes

Prof. Dr. Guillén Fernández

Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience & Director of Donders Centre for Medical Neuroscience · Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour

Prof. Dr. Guillén Fernández is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience & Director of Donders Centre for Medical Neuroscience in the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour at Radboud University - Mercator Technology & Science Park, conducting advanced research in Human Episodic Memory, Neuroimaging of Stress Resilience, Brain Plasticity.

Human Episodic Memory Neuroimaging of Stress Resilience Brain Plasticity

Editorial & verification standards

Institution profile and program records reflect official documentation verified on 2026-10-15. OpenField is an independent student academic resource and is not formally affiliated with Radboud University - Mercator Technology & Science Park.